Hoggard Performing with Bill Cosby at Hollywood Bowl

Vibraphonist, composer and Adjunct Associate Professor of Music Jay Hoggard ’76,will perform in the 32nd annual Playboy Jazz Fest, held at the Hollywood Bowl on June 13.

Performing as a member of the latest version of emcee Bill Cosby’s “Cos of Good Music” band, Hoggard will be playing with NduguChancellor, Dwayne Bruno, Ingrid Jensen, Mark Gross and D.D. Jackson.

The invitation to join the band wasn’t really a surprise for Hoggard. He has worked with Cosby before, including on the soundtrack to the Cosby TV show. “When Dr. Cosby calls, I drop everything and I’m there,” says Hoggard.

Currently taking the Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra on its annual tour of Middletown schools, Hoggard is looking forward to the Crowell concerts on April 30, for the jazz orchestra and the student ensembles, and then on May 1, the jazz orchestra will open for the feature guest artist, saxophonist/bass clarinetist Benny Maupin and his trio.

The tour of the schools serves as rehearsals for the Wesleyan musicians. Hoggard’s students offer the youngsters much of the same music they will play for the adult audiences at the end of April.

“The young ones appreciate that they are being offered music even if it is a bit over their heads. If it’s energetic and peppy, they like it,” he says.

Locally, Hoggard will also serve as music director for a dance theater production at Charter Oak Cultural Center May 29 and 30th, featuring the SankofaKuumba Cultural Arts Consortium.

For an interview with Bill Cosby P’87 and Hon ’87 on last year’s jazz concert visit:
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7557307